Interview HA25

Age at interview: 51

Age at diagnosis: 49

Brief Outline: Heart attack June 2001. Heart attack July 2001. Current medication' atenolol, atorvastatin, clopidogrel, lisinopril

Background: Machine Operator; Married, 5 children

Smoking eighty cigarettes a day contributed to his heart attack.

I was a big smoker, big smoker, four packets, twenty cigarettes in a day. Two packets, three packets, that's normal you know. But now I advise everybody and advise, advise, advise, to stop smoking. That's killing life you know, not good for life. But this smoking, it's no good.

Did you find it difficult to actually stop smoking?

No, no because when doctors told me that this happened, and it comes with the smoking, I hated tobacco. The same day I stopped that. If now somebody is smoking, I go away. I don't like to stand by there and stay with them.

He found the angiogram frightening but accepted it was necessary so that a decision could be made...

And the doctors showed me on a TV screen that this artery was closed, stopped and you can see that, and after the angiogram, he told me that now you see that screen now.

What is that like having that done?

You know that's a very frightening place, it's all machines, angiogram machines. The first time everybody is scared and when they put this tube and put pressure like this, you know. Feeling this, feeling very bad but you must be accepting.

Do you think they gave you enough information to explain what was happening?

Yes, yes. After that explanation, I felt better because the doctor told me that 'now, no problem, you feel better because this is clean now. No need to send you for a bypass operation.' That's very lucky for any heart patient if they are saved from any bypass operation or angioplasty.